Knicks continue pursuing Carmelo Anthony trade

Knicks president Phil Jackson addressed the media and made it clear he doesn’t see Carmelo Anthony in their future plans.USA TODAY Sports

There are still so many extenuating factors to a possible deal. Anthony holds a no-trade clause and while he grew upset with Jackson during the season, he has never given the go-ahead to move him.(Photo: Frank Franklin II/AP)

For 18 months the no-trade clause in Carmelo Anthony’s contract was the stumbling block in the Knicks’ ham-handed efforts to trade away the player who was once supposed to be star to lift the team out of it’s long title drought.

But as the Knicks have pushed up their efforts, it is not Anthony holding up a trade. With Phil Jackson deposed as team president and Steve Mills in his place as acting president Anthony has provided an opening, agreeing to accept a trade to the Houston Rockets, where he would unite with long-time friend Chris Paul, as well as James Harden.

The problem now is simple logistics, trying to find a way to make Anthony’s remaining two-years and $54 million fit in a deal and bring back an acceptable return to the Knicks. The two teams have been engaged for weeks in talks, but the…